Matthew 21:28-46

Choosing Faith over Words: The Parable of the Two Sons

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:28–32

Matthew 21:28–32 NKJV

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

In this parable the landowner is God and He asks His sons to work in His vineyard.

Who Will do the Will of the Father?

The two sons represent the “sinners” the other the Pharisees

The first one “The Sinners - Tax collectors Harlots they say “NO” at first but then they go.

The Pharisees say “Yes” first but do not go and work the vineyard.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true obedience to God is demonstrated through action rather than mere verbal affirmation. It emphasizes the value of repentance and the willingness to turn to God's will, regardless of one's past choices.

Big Idea: True faith is demonstrated through action, not just words; God values our obedience and our willingness to turn back to Him above our initial reluctance.

1. Willing Words, Wavering Actions

Matthew 21:28–30

Our Words are so powerful and able to profoundly impact lives and the life of those around us.

Matthew 12:37 NKJV

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 15:8 NKJV

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

Are our words in alignment with our hearts?

The son who said no at first seemed to have a clear understanding of where they were as far as their heart. They had the courage to say NO

The other son in a hurry said yes, maybe to please the father or avoid looking bad, or to cover and evil intent.

They had no repentance in them because they never needed to change their hearts..

The first son the tax payer and harlot.

Repented in their hearts and accomplished the will of God

2. Actions Affirm Faith

Matthew 21:31

Our words carry no power if they don’t have activity to back them up.

James 2:20 NKJV

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

If you believe then actions will follow.

If the words we speak are of faith they come from the heart and cause us to respond in our actions.

How do we get to a heart of faith? that will change our walk?

3. Repentance Ignites Faith

Matthew 21:32

Repentance happens when truth is spoken to us and the lies are exposed. If we choose the truth our hearts are filled with faith and faith in us stirs up new actions and behaviors we didn’t have before.

Repentance is

Joel 2:12–13 NKJV

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

The message of John the baptist and Jesus was a message of repentance

Matthew 4:17 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Romans 10:17 NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hearing God’s Word isn’t enough to get faith.

Hearing here means to truly understand and receive it.

So the main message here is that :

The first son repented and completed the work of the Father.

The second son did not repent and therefore did not complete the work of the father.

The Unfruitful Workers

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:33–46

Matthew 21:33–46 NKJV

“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

God is the owner of the Vineyard The workers where Chief Priests and Pharisees. The messengers where the prophets who urged them to repent.

And now the Son is Jesus.

They wanted the vineyard for themselves.

The danger of caring for another mans vineyard is that at some point you will be tempted to take it for yourself.

The Chief Priests and the Pharisees couldn’t give up control.

The Tragedy

Matthew 21:33–39

The tragedy of this story is how unrepentant these men where.

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 13:2–3 NKJV

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

John 3:36 NKJV

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

An Un Repentive heart leads to:

Moral Decay

Romans 1:28-32

Depraved Mind

Broken Intimacy

Spiritual Emptiness

They couldn’t be wrong, they couldn’t admit publicly that they were wrong or that they had sinned.

Pride will crush you! It is better to fall on Jesus! than to have the rock crush you!